Heartstopper, Volume 2, written by Alice Oseman, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: This second book in the Heartstopper series picks up immediately where the first book left off. Charlie and Nick, having spent the majority of the first book becoming close friends and experiencing building romantic tension, have just kissed for the first time. The kiss is interrupted and Nick, who has not previously had feelings for another boy, leaves Charlie rather abruptly. Book Two begins with both characters awash in feelings of confusion, wondering how the other feels. Charlie, who has been out as gay for several years, feels that he has made a mistake in kissing his straight friend and worries that he has ruined their friendship. Unbeknownst to Charlie, Nick is realizing that he enjoyed the kiss and has feelings for Charlie, but is trying to process what this means for him and for their relationship. The two spend the remainder of the book enjoying the bubbling excitement of new love and supporting each other through the hills and valleys of coming out, making their relationship public, and dealing with a wide variety of reactions and levels of acceptance. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is a hug snuggled under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate. Charlie and Nick both experience confusing feelings at times, but they are so wonderfully kind and understanding to each other as their relationship and personal identities grow and change. While there are a few students at Charlie and Nick’s school that do not seem to accept them and engage in some homophobic teasing, many of the people in their lives, including parents, sibling, and friends from school, process the new relationship and Nick’s coming out in warm and loving https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com ways. Some of Charlie’s friends express concern about Nick hurting Charlie by using him in a temporary and experimental way, which is a common trope in lesser stories. But in this case, though the story could easily go in that direction, Oseman chooses to help readers see, through Nick, that while caution is prudent, Nick’s new bisexual identity only becomes clear to him after he becomes so close with Charlie. While the romance vibes and attraction are definitely swoony, the interactions through Book 2 remain firmly in the PG category, making this an aspirational and acceptable story for MS students as well as HS students. There is some language, including some possibly triggering homophobic remarks, but students are more likely to hear worse on Netflix or in the hallways of their own schools. This is a heartwarming, sweet story that offers a beautiful picture of two boys falling in love. It is a must purchase, along with Book 1, for secondary school libraries.

Fortune Falls, written by Jenny Goebel, reviewed by Todd Erickson

Summary: After a string of bad luck, 12 year old Sadie is one of the unluckiest girls in Fortunate Falls, the magical town where if you're one of the Luckies - life is the goose that laid the golden egg. Unlucky Sadie will probably fail her big luck test and be sent away at age 12 to Bane boarding school, where all Unluckies are sent to protect their loved ones. Might not be a bad idea since Sadies dad has already died, her dog has ended up missing and her little brother just wants to be spared of her bad ju-ju. She and best friend Cooper devise a plan to reverse her fortune. But will it work, or has all her luck run out? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book reads like a clever joke that gets old fast. It's vapid enough to be entertaining, but and Sadie seems stuck in the shallow end of the wishing well. She doesn't ask for much, just enough luck to be spared banishment from her basic life in her inane town. Luckily the author ditches the thesaurus early on, and it is reasonably well written. But the tone of this book is off putting, it seems a little too happy go lucky for a girl with such bad luck written in her stars. A tacked on ending with Sadie saving the day for some fellow Unluckies seems like an afterthought to redeem Sadie, who seemed like she'd settle for being just lucky enough to dance with Cooper at the school dance.

A Long Road on a Short Day, written by Gary D.Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, reviewed by Judy Hauser

Summary: This is a charming story about a boy, Samuel, and his papa on a mission to bring a milk cow home to mama. They set out on a cold, wintry day and make many stops to visit neighbors in hopes of trading for a milk cow. Papa begins the trading by exchanging his best knife for two lanterns. As Samuel and Papa go house to house they trade one item after another until they have what they need to trade for a milk cow. There are poignant scenes in which Samuel is given a pony and cart, which he loves, only to have them traded at the next house. Papa does not trade these items away in a cruel way but they do teach Samuel lessons about doing the right thing and keeping the end goal of the mission in mind. The illustrations by Eugene Yelchin are perfect. They wonderfully depict Samuel and papa, neighbors and items traded and, of course, the cold, wintry short road. Family, friends, hard work, weather, politeness and accomplishment are all represented so nicely in this story. It is an exceptional "feel good" book and will be popular with children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A lowkey but excellent book about family, hard work, doing the right thing and friends and neighbors. I can imagine a lot of discussion with children on these topics and more.

Addy's Cup of Sugar: Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing, written by Jon J. Muth, reviewed by Judy Hauser

 

Summary: This book, based on a Buddhist story, is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. It is, however, about healing from the death of loved ones. I can see that the book would be perfect to read to a child if the child has lost a pet like the girl in the book. Her kitten was hit by a car and her imaginary friend helps her with her loss by having her go neighbor to neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar. However, her friend tells her that the sugar must come from a house that has not experienced a death. In doing so the girl finds that everyone has lost someone they love and it helps her heal. The story is very nice and it may be helpful to children who have lost a pet. I don't know if I would try to use it as a book to read to a child who has lost a family member or friend. There is, obviously, a lot of talk of death and it may be too much for a young mind to take. Recommended but probably for special cases where a child has experienced a loss or where a child's friend has experienced a loss. The story and the illustrations may help a child to understand loss and how to heal from a loss. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: A lot of talk of death. I can see this book read to a child who has lost a pet. But, even though the story and the illustrations are great it is still about death and healing.

Empress of All Seasons, written by Emiko Jean, reviewed by Stephanie Wilson

Summary: Mari is not conventionally pretty so her mother trains her to be a warrior instead. She is an animal wife yokai whose sole purpose in life is to make a man fall in love her. Once she has his heart, she steals his riches and abandons him. Her mother has trained her for the ultimate prize: winning the heart of the prince. Mari is clever and strong but her status as a yokai puts her at risk. The Emperor despises the yokai and seeks their complete annihilation. Mari must survive the competition that takes her through the rooms of the Palace of Illusions. Each room corresponds with a season: Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, and is filled with deadly monsters and traps. She must not only survive but beat the rest of the competitors to become Empress. Mari must maintain the illusion she is in an ordinary girl or risk certain death. She focuses her attention on winning and returning home to her village with the spoils. Complicating matters, Mari develops strong romantic feelings for Taro the “cold prince.” Her friend from the village, Akira has her back but he worries about Mari’s shifting loyalties. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The mark of an excellent book is the deep desire of the reader to savor it. I slowed the pace of my reading and reread passages that spoke to me. I am absolutely floored by the brilliance of this novel. The interwoven stories of Mari, Akira, and Taro create a compelling tale of love, loyalty and fate. The various plot lines are strong and the pacing is spot on. The writing has a beautiful, lyrical quality rarely seen in young adult novels. Even the minor characters are memorable. Empress of All Seasons contains some darker moments and deeper themes that might be difficult for younger readers to process. Jean masterfully combines Japanese Mythology, romance and adventure into an incredible novel. It's a YA masterpiece. My only regret was finishing it.